Richmond democrat., 1887-04-21
AN AWFUL FIGHT.
A Combat Between a Tiger and a
Lion.

After an encampment Of two weeks
NJ Bangalore. we moved to the north
west for thirty miles, and made new
camp on creek which emptied into
the Cauvery river. twenty miles below
us. There had been no shooting done
in this neighborhood for many years.
for the reason that fever plague had
carried of hundreds Of the natives and
depopulatcd many of the villages.
Game had had an opportunity TO in
crease, and we had reason TO look for
ward TO some exciting sport A native
hunter, living near Seringapatam, and
who was with us in charge Of the serv-
ants, had been told by good authority
that lions and tigers had come into the
abandoned district until they were as
plentiful as hares, and that we should
find hunters paradise.
We pitched our camp on a cleared
spot on the right bank Of the creek.
which had two feet Of water in it and
was about ten feet wide. Il was a
hilly country all about us. with the
ground fairly well timbered Half a
mile below us was an abandoned native
village, and many acres of ground
which had once been titled were now
grown up to bush and weeds We went
into camp about an hour before sun
down Of a summers day, and the tents
had not yet been pitched when one of
the natives routed out and killed a
poisonous snake ten feet long. and an
other declared that he saw a panther
moving in the thicket across the creek
We cut down the smaller trees and
bushes and built a strong inclosure for
the riding horses and pack animals. and
then ran breastwork Of brush clear
around camp. A lion ortiger could clear
II at bound. but neither beast ever
enters an Enclosure off hand. He must
he pressed by hunger, or desperate
with rage II had just come 10 bc twi-
light. and we were still working at the
north side Of the inclosurc, when the
fact that we had big game at hand was
proved in a sorrowful way. A native
young man about seventeen wears of
nge. who was one of the brush cutters,
was engaged with others about 800 feet
from whore we were at work II was
the last load to be brought, and he was
last Of all. He was picking up his load
when tiger sprang upon him from the
bushes. Every one Of us heard the
inarl of the beast and the cry Of the
man, and, indeed, there was the whole
scene right before our ewes The vie
tim, rs he was hurled to the earth, fell
upon his face. The tiger seemed to
turn him over three or four times, and
then seized him by the shoulder and
started Off with him-not into the
thicket right at hand, but across 200
feet Of perfectly open ground toward
the creek.
For few seconds all Of us seemed
turned 10 stone. Then there was a
rush for the rifles. which were FORUM
nately near at hand. There were three
or four old soldiers aud tiger hunters
with us, and their presence Of mind
brought about the death Of the beast.
Some of us would have hesitated 10
fire, KNOWN Z that our bullets would
be as apt 10 hit the servant as the tiger.
but two or three men shouted for every
body to blaze away, and five or six re-
ports followed one another in quick
succession. These men reasoned that
the native was already mortallv hurt,
aud that 1t would be better for him 10
die at once by one Of our bullets than
to be carried off and eaten alive. /
have personally known Of four or five
eases where men have been seized by
tigers, and have talked with hunters
who knew Of many other cases, and
there was only q single instance where
the victim escaped the fatality Of the
spring. When the tiger leaps he also
strikes with his forepaw, and the blow
il terrific.
The beast and his burden were
about half way across the open
when they fell in heap; the tiger
WAS up again in second, whirled
around like top, and then. with
fierce growl, he seized the native again
with his teeth and resumed his progress.
We were advancing as we fired. but the
tiger did not increase his pace by
second, and between the reports Of the
rifles we could hear him growing in a
savage manner. Handing my empty
rifle TO servant, ! drew my revolver
and ran full at the animal from an
angle, determined that he should not
escape. He bore of little 10 avoid me
as | opened fire. ! knew hit him. for
] saw him vince, but he kept straight
on 10 the bank Of the creek, and after
7 5 cog "A new hold Of his burden he
/ night. spring, landed ON the other
side and fei. into a heap, dead. The
servants crossed and brought over both
bodies. II was ith the native as the
tiger hunters had suspected. In leap
ing upon him the animal had given
him blow which bloke his neck. The
one cry we heard was all that he ut
tered. When we came 20 look his dead
body over, we found tina. four Of our
bullets had hit it, but he was dead long
enough before n shot was iirel In the
case Of the tiger, he had been bit nine
times, and three Of the bullets had
reached vital spots. One Of his fore
legs was broken. and he had carried his
burden the last thirty feet aud made
the spring across the creek on three
legs.
The next day was ushered in with a
drizzling rain, and il was nearly de-
cided not 10 have any general beat mp
for game, but 10 overhaul arms and
trappings aud make ready for the next
day. Soon after breakfast took my
repeating rife and navy revolver. slip
ped some extra cartridges into my
pocket, aud set out alone 10 have q
look at the deserted village below us
II warn you 10 be careful sir, eau.
toned a native tiger slayer as passed
tho spot on which he was mending a
saddle.
"Oh. have no fear, and the wild
beasts will be asleep this morning, any
how
''Some may not, >" he answered. with
dubious shake OF the head. aud he
was looking after me as entered the
brush.
had forgotten 70 say that during the
night we were greatly disturbed by the
noises around Us We kept several
large fires 60 'ng, and while these pre-
vented marauding bea Is from coming
too near. the glare probably attracted
them 10 the locality. One could dis